Folding-machine.



Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

8 $HEETSSHEET 1.

E-BOQ Patented May 5, 1914.

Imeww-nsz v Quezpfim 60. B0 0170. 15 0237359 .Zozuis 60.66

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JAN. 7, 1904.

Patnted May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q. W. & I. B. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

'8 SHEETS-S'HEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. D. 45.

' Q. W. & 1. E. BOOTH & L. W. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

1,095,699, Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETSSEEET 4.

CDLUMBIA PMNQGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, D. 5.

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W.-G. PLYNT. FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JAN.7, 1904.

1,095,699, I Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

maes- 15150870237 5.

)LUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co WASHINGTON, D. t

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

. FOLDING MACHINE.

, APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-sin 6.

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APBLIOATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET '7.

Q. W. & 1. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNTB FOLDING MACHINE. I APPLICATIONFILED JAN. 7, 1904.

1,095,699, Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

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1; wi t ulllIUlI Milli-Ill 1 MI mmumnmumumm lllllllllllflll-lllllilllllllllmnh miiiig iilllllliil! r mm Iii Que/Kim ZUBOOZY'U, :[rvjEEOC/67% A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

QUENTIN W. BOOTH, IRVING E. BOOTH, AND LOUIS W. G. FLYNT, OF ROCHESTER,NEW

YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BOSTON MACHINE WORKS COM-PANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDIN G-MAGHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1914.

Application filed January 7, 1964. Serial No. 188,063.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, QUENTIN W. Boo'rn, IRVING E. Boone, and LOUIS 7. G.FLYNT, citizens of the United States, and residents of Rochester, in thecounty of Monroe and State of New York, have invented an Improvement inFolding-Machines, of which the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on thedrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to that class of folding machines which isdescribed and claimed in United States Patent No. 695438, granted March18, 1902, to Quentin W. and Irving E. Booth, and has for its object toprovide a device which can be applied to folding machines of this class,and which operates to slit the concaved portion of the curved edge ofthe material which is to be folded so as to permit the fold to be madewithout wrinkling or stretching the material.

Another object of the invention is to improve generally the foldingmachine illus trated in said patent.

The folding machine is adapted for folding leather, cloth and any othermaterial, though it is intended primarily for use in folding the edgesof shoe uppers, tips, quarters and the like.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of our improvedfolding machine; Fig. 2 is a side View looking at the machine from theopposite direction; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing variousparts of the machine; Fig. l is a section on substan tially the line01-40, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the former; Fig. 6 is adetail of the former and holder; Fig. 7 is a section through the formerand holder; Fig. 8 is a detail of the slitting mechanism; Figs. 9 and 10show a form of the invention especially applicable for holding the edgesof foxing; Fig. 11 is a section on the line 'yy, Fig. 10; Fig. 12 showsthe various sizes of foXings; Fig. 13 is a front view of the togglelever for operating the folding mechanism; Figs.

'14 to 19 are diagrams showing the various steps of the foldingoperation; Fig. 20 illus trates an upper blank such as the machineillustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is adapted to fold. Fig. 21 is a top planview of our improved folding machine with the slitter omitted; Fig. 22is a rear elevation; Fig. 23 is a detail of the clutch; Fig. 24 is adetail of the means for moving the folder forward; Fig. 25 1s aperspective view showing the slitting knife and the slots in which theblades of the knife work.

The main parts of the folding and slitting machine are a table forsupporting the work,

herein shown at A, a device for holding the. work on the table and fordefining thefshape of the folded edge, which device comprises a workclamp B in the form of a plurality of holding members adapted to engagethe work at separated points, and a former plate C over which the edgeof the work is folded and which also engages the work and consti tutes aholding means; a folder D which operates to fold the edge of the workover the former plate; a gage E by which the work is properly positionedfor the folding operation; and a slitting device F which operates toslit the edge of the work prior to the folding operation.

In this class of folding machines the fold is made substantially asshown in Figs. 14

The parts of the machine are normally in the position shown in Fig. 14,and the material 3 is placed upon the table A with its edge against thegage E, which is carried by the folder or folding jaw D, the edge of thematerial which is to be folded havin been previously moistened with somesuitable adhesive. The first movement of the machine brings thework-holding means,

.including the holding member B and former C, against the material, asshown in Fig.

15, thereby to clamp the latter in place. The folder D is then elevated,as shown in Fig. 16, thereby turning the edge of the leather upward atright angles to the table A, and during this movement the edge of theformer C determines the line of the fold.

The folder is then moved forwardly, as

The above are the various steps performed during the operation of makinga fold on 1 pin or projection 17 1 which occupies a re machines of thisclass. In our improved machine we add to the elements illustrated inFigs. 1-1 to 19, a slitting device which is brought into operation toslit the concaved portion of the edge of the material between the stepsillustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, that is just after the holder has beenbrought against the work or material and prior to the elevation of thefolder. T he particular construction of this slitting device will bemore fully hereinafter described.

All of the parts above enumerated are mounted on a suitable frame 1which has journaled therein a cam-shaft 5 and a powershaft 6, saidlatter shaft having applied there to a driving pulley 7. The cam-shaft 5has mounted thereon a series of cams which cooperate with levers andother devices to give the various parts of the device the sequence ofmovements illustrated in Figs. 14-19.

The table A is similar in many respects to that illustrated in the abovementioned patent, and is detachably supported upon the frame 4 so thatit can be removed and an other table having a different shapesubstituted therefor. The table has a book 8 depending therefrom whichpartially embraces the locking cam 9 all as more fully described in saidpatent. By turning said cam, by neans of a handle 10, the eccentricportion thereof is carried out of engagement with the book 8, andthereafter the table A may be withdrawn from the frame.

Starting n760/Lcmls1n-.-The machine is started by means of a foot orhand treadle, not shown, which is connected through the link 11 to alever 12-, mounted on a stud 13 carried by the frame. Said lever isnormally held in its elevated position by means of a suitable spring14;; the lower end of said lever bears against a set screw 15 carried byan elbow lever 16 also mounted on the stud 13; the opposite or left handend of said lever controls the clutch mechanism for clutching thedriving pulley 7, which is loosely mounted on the driving shaft (3, tosaid shaft. -While any suitable clutch may be employed, we have hereinillustrated one comprising an arm 1'? carried by the shaft 6 and adaptedto be engaged by a pin 19 projecting from the driving pulley 7. The arm17 is pivoted to a collar 1T1 fast on the shaft 6 and therefore said armrotates with the shaft. The manner of mounting the arm is such that itturns about an axis at right angles to the shaft and can. therefore,swing toward and from the pulley 7. When the clutch is disengaged thearm 17 is held out of the path of movement of the pin 19 by the end 18of the lever 16, said lever 16 being provided at its inner face with acam surface 17 2 which engages the outer face of the arm 17 and holdssaid arm in its inoperative position. Said arm has integral therewith acess in the collar and is acted upon. by a spring 170 within saidrecess. The wall of the recess acts as a stop to limit the swingingmovement of the arm toward the right, Fig. 22, and the spring allowssaid arm to swing toward the left when it is to be disengaged by the pin19. Then the clutch is disengaged the lever 16 is in its elevatedposition as shown in Figs. 2 and 22 of the drawing, and it holds the arm17 out of the path of movement of the pin 19 so that the pulley can befreely rotated in the direction of the arrow (0. Whenever the foottreadle is operated, however, the point 18 of the lever 16 is swungdownward and out of engagement of the arm 17, and when this occurs saidarm is moved to the right. Fig. 22, under the influence of the spring170 and into the path of the stud 19. Said stud then engages the leveror arm and causes the shaft 6 to rotate. Said shaft 6 has thereon agear-wheel 20 meshing with a gear 21 on the cam shaft- 5 whereby saidcam-shaft is driven. The relative size of the gears 20 and 9 1 is suchthat the power-shaft makes a plurality of revolutions during eachrevolution of the cam-shaft. The cycle of opera tions performed by themachine and illustrated in Figs. 14-19 is completed during one rotationof the cam-shaft, and the stop-- ping and starting mechanism is soarranged that when this shaft has made one complete revolution to thusperform one cycle of op erations the clutch is disengaged.

As herein shown the camshaft has thereon a clutch-controlling cam 22which cooperates with a projection or pin 23 on the lever 16. \Vhen themachine is at rest said projection occupies a depression in thecamsurface, but as soon as the treadle is operated and the machinestarts the movement of the shaft in the direction of the arrow :5carries the rise of said cam over the projection 23, whereby the lever16 is held depressed and out of the path of movement of the arm 17 untilthe shaft has made one complete revolution and the depression in the camcomes into register with said projection. At this time a spring 2-1,connected at one end to said lever 16, raises said lever and brings thecam surface 172 on the inner side of the lever at its point 18 into thepath of the arm 17 so that as the shaft 6 rotates the outer face of thearm engages said cam surface. Obviously the result of this is graduallyto swing the arm to the left, Fig. and out of the path of movement ofthe stud 19 thus disengaging the clutch and allowing the pul ley 7 torotate freely upon the shaft 6.

Holder or means for holding and clamping the material on the tal le.-lnthis embodiment of our invention the work is held against the tableduring the folding operation by work-holding means which includes a workclamp and also a member hereinafter referred to as a former, about whichthe edge of the work is folded. In order to distinguish between theseelements, we have referred to the work-clamping member as a holder andto the other member about which the work is folded as the former, but,as will be more fully hereinafter seen. both of these members engage thework and constitute means for holding the work in position. The devicewhich we have termed the holder B comprises a plurality of inde pendentyieldingly sustained plungers or feet which are carried by a supportingmember 25 and are adapted to engage the work at a plurality of separatedpoints. These holding members or plungers B are shown as operatingthrough slots formed in the former plate C, said members normallyprojecting below the plate C so that when the work-holding meanscomprising the holding members B and the former plate C are broughtagainst the work the holding members first engage the work and thenyield in .an upward direction until the former plate C also engages thework. The slots in the former plate are to permit the latter to movebackwardly relative to the holding members B during the foldingoperation, as will be presently set forth. Each of the plungers orholding members B is received in a suitable socket in the supportingmember 25 and has a stem 26 which projects through said memher, asuitable spring 27 for each plunger operating to hold it normallydepressed. The member 25 is held in position by pins 28, depending fromtubular arms 29, which project forwardly from and are adjustably securedto a head 30, fast on a shaft 31 journaled in the frame. The head 30 haspivoted thereto a plate 32 carrying an adjusting screw 33, and saidlatter bears against the head of a yieldably mounted stud 3a carried bya lever 35 mounted toturn freely on the shaft 31, said lever also havingone arm 36 which bears'against a cam 37 on the cam shaft 5. The stud orpin 34: is slidably mounted in the lever 35 and is acted upon andnormally held in its forward position by a spring 39, a collar 38 fastthereon limiting its forward movement.

Fast to the shaft 31 is a slotted arm 40 through the slot of whichprojects a link 41 pivotally secured to the lever 16, as at 4:2. Saidlink has a yielding connection with the arm 40 through a suitable spring43. WVith this construction it will be seen that when the treadle isdepressed and the lever 16 turned, the shaft 31 will be rocked throughthe arm 4-0 and link 41, and the tubular arms 29 depressed to bring theholder against the material upon the table A. As soon as the cam-shaftis started, as above described, the rise on the cam 37 rocks the lever36, which through the spring 39 and stud 34 acts against the pin 33 andfurther depresses the holder against the material and holds it tightlyagainst the same until the parts have reached the position shown in Fig.19, at which time the arm 36 passes off from the rise of the cam 37,whereby the pressure on the holder is relieved.

The object in making each of the individual feet or holders Bindependently yieldable is to permit the holder-mechanism to accommodateitself to material which varies in thickness at various points, and theobject of having a yieldingly supported stud or pin 3% is to afford thenecessary yielding connection between the cam and the holder toaccommodate different thicknesses of material.

With this construction the manual operation of depressing the treadlebrings the holder against the material to be folded, so that before themachine is actually started the work is held in place.

The holder is made detachable from the machine, as are the otherprincipal parts thereof, so that it can be readily removed and anotherholder having a different shape substituted therefor as occasion mayrequire. The construction by which it is made detachable will bedescribed farther on.

SZitt'in-g m-echcmism.-After the holder has been brought against thework, as above described and as illustrated in Fig. 15, the slittingdevice is brought into operation and the concaved edge of the materialto be folded is slit or cut at a plurality of places at substantiallyright angles to such edge. The slitting device will have various shapesor contours according to the contour of the edge which is to be folded.In the form of the invention herein illustrated the folder and formerare of a shape which is adapted to fold uppers, and the slitting deviceis arranged to slit the concaved portion of the edge, as shown in Fig.20. In this form of the invention the slitting device F is mounted onthe folder D and has a plurality of blades 44, which are situated overand are adapted to enter slots 450 in said folder as the slitting deviceis rocked about its pivot. Said slitting device has the arm l5,connected by a link 46, with a rock-lever 4L7 loosely mounted on a shaft48 which connects the two parts of the folding-frame together, as willbe presently described. The rocking lever l? is turned about its pivotby means of an actuator pin 50 which extends radially from thepower-shaft 6 and is guided in its movement by a guide-member 51pivotally mounted on said shaft. Said pin 50 is recipro-cated by a cam52 mounted on the power shaft, said cam being shaped to give the pin aquick outward thrust and to let the pin drop back almost immediately.During its outward movement said pin engages an adjustable projection 53carried by the rocklever 47, and thereby through said lever and link 16rocks the slitting device and carries the blades into the slots in thefolder, this movement of course cutting the desired slits in the edge ofthe material. Since the cam mounted on the power-shaft which rotates aplurality of times during each rotation of the cam-shaft, and since onlyone movement of the slitting-device is required, we have provided meanswhereby after the pin has made its effective reciprocation and the slitsare out said pin is carried out of alinement with the projection 53, asshown by dotted lines in F 3. For convenience we have termed the fullline position of the pin in Fig. 3, or that position in which it is inalinement with the projection 53 its operative position, and the dottedline position of said pin 50 its inoperative posi tion. F or thusshifting the pin from its operative to its inoperative position, we haveprovided the member 51 with an arm 54- carrying at its end a roll whichcooperates with a cam 55 upon the cam-shaft. Said cam has a t epressionin which the roll is received when the pin is in its operative position,and as the machine begins its operation and after the cam 52 has rotatedto give the pin its effective reciprocation the rise of the cam 55raises the arm 54 into the dotted line position and carries the member51 and pin 50 into the inoperative position, when in such position thecontinued reciprocation of the pin 50 does not give any movement to therock-lever 4-7, nor to the slitting device. The arm is held against thecam by means of a spring connected to a projection 57 integral with themember 51, said spring being also connected to an arm on the rock-lever47 and thus operating to hold the slitting device elevated.

The means for giving the slitting device its movement we have termed inthe claims an actuator, and although we have shown one particular formof actuator we do not wish to be limited to this construction as otherforms may be employed.

It will be seen that our invention broadly includes a slitting-device,an actuator therefor, and means to move the actuator into and out ofoperative position. It will also be noted that the cutting movement ofthe slitting device is independent of the mov ment of the foldingmechanism. Another important feature is that the actuator is so shapedas to give the blades of the slitting knife a quick cutting movement.

Although we have illustrated the folder as having slots into which theblades enter yet it would be within our invention to omit the slots andmake the surface of the folder beneath the knives of some suitablematerial, suchas raw-hide or rubber.

Folding mer-iimii sm.llhe folder D and its mounting is similar in. ageneral way to the folder shown in the above mentioned patent,

that is said folder is detachably secured to a frame 58 which is pivotedto the upper end of a link or frame by means of the pin or pivotal shaft18 above referred to. Said link 59 is formed with legs 159 and 160, oneof which, 159, is pivotally mounted on ashaft 60 carried by the frame ofthe machine and the other of which, 160, is fast on a shaft 161 which ismounted in turn in said frame. Said shaft 161 has fast thereon an arm162 carrying a pin 163 to which pin the springs 14: and are connected asplainly seen in Figs. 2 and 22. Since the arm 162, shaft 161 and frame59 are rigidly secured together, the springs 14: and 2st operate tomaintain the folding frame in its rearmost position. Said frame 55) isforked at its upper end to receive between its branches the guide member51 for the actuating pin 50.

The means of securing the folder to the frame 58 is the same as thatillustrated in the above mentioned patent, and further descriptionthere-of is not necessary here.

The folder is operated through a toggle lever comprising two members 61,62, the former of which is pivoted to the frame 58 and the latter to arock-shaft 63 carried by the frame of the machine. Said latter memher isan elbow lever, one arm 64E of which has engagement with an operatinglever 65 pivoted to the frame at some suitable point, as at 66, andoperated by a cam 67 upon the cam-shaft. The toggle lever and itsoperating mechanism is organized so that the initial downward movementof the operating lever 65 straightens the toggle-lever and raises thefolder, and the continued movement of said lever carries the togglelever past the dead center and buckles it on the right side, therebylowering the folder again to set the fold, all as more fullly describedin said patent. During the time that the folder is elevated and thetoggle-joint straightened, said folder is projected forwardly, as shownin Fig. 17 to curve or fold the edge of the material over the former C.To accomplish this the frame 58 is provided with an arm 68, see Fig. 24,which is acted upon at the proper time by a cam 69 fast upon the camshaft 5. It will be noted that we have provided one mechanism, (the cam69,) to project the folder forward, the folder frame during its forwardmovement swinging about the shafts 60 and 161, and another mechanism,(the folder lever 61-62,) for raising and lowering the folder frame 58,the up and down movement of this frame being; about the shaft d8 as anaxis. After the folder has been moved forwardly about the shafts 60 and161 as an axis the folder frame comprising the frames 58 and isretracted by the action of the springs 14 and 24k acting through thecrank arm 162 as above described. The cam 67 acts positively to give thetogglclever its movement collar 71, as best shown in Fig. 13.

- ing the arm. Said arm in one direction. To move said lever in itsopposite direction we have provided a spring 70 which is fast at one endto the hinge of the toggle-lever, and is coiled about the shaft 63 andsecured at its other end to a The collar can be adjusted about the shaft63 and is held in its adjusted position by a pin 72 which can beinserted in any one of a number of holes 73.

To vary the length of the toggle to accommodate different thicknesses 0material the upper member 61 of said toggle is mount ed on an eccentric72 to which is attached an arm 7 3 for the purpose of adjusting theeccentric, and thus lengthening or shorten- 73 is made of some suitableresilient material, and has a pin 7a which can be set into any one of anumber of notches 7 5 in a fixed plate 76. By this means the eccentriccan be adjusted into any desired position and there locked.

, The vertical swinging movement of the folder is about the shaft 418,and the back ward and forward movement about the shafts 60 and 161, thesame as in the above mentioned patent.

Formerr-The former C, which also constitutes a holding means for holdingthe work on the table A and about which the edge of the material iscurved in making the fold and which by its contour defines the edge ofthe fold, is carried by one or more plungers 77, mounted in heads 78 atthe ends of rods 79. These rods are slidably mounted in the tubular arms29, and at their ends are connected to a cross-head 80. Said head 80 isacted upon by a lever 81 suitably pivoted on the frame, and which is inturn actuated by a cam 82 upon the cam shaft 5. The rods 79 are normallyheld retracted, or in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, in whichposition of said rods the former occupies the position shown in Figs. 14to 17, by springs 83 which engage the head 80 at one end and collars 841on said rods at the other. The cam 82 is so shaped that when the cycleof folding operations has proceeded to the point indicated in Fig. 17,and the folder is about to descend to set the fold, said cam acts on thelever 81 to press the latter forward or to the left Fig. 3, and saidlever acting against the head 80 move the rods 79 forward and carriesthe former out of the way of the folder, as seen in Fig. 18. After therise of the cam 82 has passed out of engagement with the lever 81, theformer is retracted to its normal position by the springs 83.

85 designates a spring which serves to hold the lever 81 against itscam.

As stated above, the means for holding and clamping the work against thetable which includes the holding members B and the former C are maderemovable from the machine, as well as the folder and the table A, sothat any one of a number of formers and holders of different shapes canbe substituted according to the character of the material which is to befolded. As herein illustrated, the former C is provided with slots 86through which are adapted to project heads 87 on the plungers 77 Saidplungers are mounted for rotation and longitudinal movement in the heads78, and each has projecting therefrom a pin 88 which eX- tends through aslot 89 in the head. At the upper end of each plunger is a cap 90 towhich one end of a coiled spring 91 is secured, the other end of saidspring being made fast to the head 78. Normally each head 87 standsacross the corresponding slot 86, as shown in Fig. 5, and thuspositively holds the former in place. To remove the former the pin 88 ofeach plunger is turned in the slot 89 until the head. 87 stands inalinement with the slot 86, the plungers being held in this position bythe pins 88 engaging the locking notches 92. When in this position theformer can be readily removed and with it the head 25 in which theholders are mounted. These two parts, the head and the former, aresecured together by means of screws 93 which enter the head 25 and playin slots in the former. As stated above, the former has a slot throughwhich each holder passes so as to permit said former to have therequisite movement parallel to the table to withdraw it from the folderindependent from the holder, which it is necessary should remainstationary. The former and the holder, however, are removable from themachine as one piece.

In placing a former and holder upon the machine the pins 28 are causedto enter the sockets in the head 25, and at the same time the heads 87are inserted through the slots 86 in the former. Thereafter the plungersare depressed to release the pins 88 from the locking notches when thespring 91 gives the plunger the requisite turning movement to return itto the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Inorder to facilitate the removal of the former and holder the head 30is constructed so that it can be swung about the shaft 31 into thedotted lines position Fig. 3, by simply swinging the pivoted plate 32into the dotted line position Fig. 1- and withdrawing the link 41 fro-mthe slot in the arm 40. A suitable spring 941, which is fast at one endto a fixed portion of the frame, and at the other end to a collar faston the shaft 31 serves to automatically turn the shaft and raise thehead into the dotted line position Fig. 3 when the latter is released,as above described. When in the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 3the former and holder can be readily removed.

The folder is removably or detachably secured to the frame 58 in thesame manner as described in the above mentioned patent. The slittingdevice, as above stated, is mounted on the folder, and hence isremovable with the folder. To facilitate this the link 16 is connectedto the arm 45 of said slitting device by means of a removable pin 95,said pin being provided with a head for ease in handling. Nith thisconstruction the removal of the table A, the folder D and the slittingdevice F and the former C and holder B and the replacing of said partsby other corresponding parts with different shapes is but the work of amoment.

0pemt0n.-Briefiy described the operation of the machine is as follows:Upon depressing the treadle the clutch-lever 16 is withdrawn from thepath of the clutch arm 17 to permit the latter to swing into the path ofthe stud 19 on the driving pulley. This movement of the clutch-lever 16operates through the link 11 to bring the holder against the work. Assoon as the cam-shaft starts in operation the cam 37 operates throughthe lever 36 and pins 33 and 34 to press the head 30 and thus firmlypress the holder against the material, as shown in Fig. 15. At thispoint the cam 52, through the actuator 50, operates to give the slittingdevice its cutting movement, and immediately thereafter the cam 55carries the actuator into its inoperative position. The cam 67 thencomes in operation and acts through the toggle lever, above described,to first elevate the folder D and then to depress the same for settingthe fold. During the time when the folder is elevated and before it isdepressed the cam 69 acts on the arm 68 to project the folder forwardly,as shown in Fig. 17 and immediately thereafter the cam 82 acts on thelever 81 to carry the former out of the way of the folder. At this timethe toggle levers have been entirely straightened and begin to buckle onthe opposite side, thereby causing the folder to descend and set thefold, as shown in Fig. 19. The further rotation of the cam-shaft allowsthe parts to resume their normal position again. When the cam-shaft hasmade one complete revolution the clutch-mechanism becomes disengaged asabove stated.

G designates a stop which is yieldingly supported beneath the folder andserves to hold the fold in its correct position while it is being set,as fully set forth in said patent.

In Figs. 9 to 11 we have illustrated a form of table which is especiallydesigned for use in folding the edges of the foxing of shoes. The foXingis made from blanks such as shown in 12, which vary in size according tothe size of the shoe to which they are applied. The curved edge 96 ofthe foxing which is to be folded is the same for all sizes, and thevariation in the differ- 1 ent sizes occurs at both ends, as best seenin .Fig. 12. The former employed in folding these shapes will of coursehave the proper shape to give the folded edge the contour of the edge 96in Fig. 12, but in Order that the different sizes may be properly foldedit is essential that each size be specially placed and positioned on thetable. It is our in tention to do the folding after the two blanks ofany pair are sewed together, shown in Fig. 10, each member of the pairbeing folded separately. For this purpose the folder and other parts aremade symmetrical, one half being adapted to fold each member of thepair. From Fig. 12 it will be seen that the seam uniting the members ofeach pair must be placed at different distances from the center of theformer in folding the different sizes in order that the curved edge 96may be given the right shape. To accomplish this we provide the table Awith a rotatable guide-plate 97 which is provided at its periphery witha flange having a. plurality of radially-arranged recesses 98, 99,

100, 101 and 102, adapted to receive the seam during the foldingoperation. The recess is comparatively narrow, 99 wider, 100 still widerand 101 and 102 placed so that the outer walls are still fartherseparated than the walls of recess 100. The plate 97 can be turned so asto bring either recess opposite the center of the folder and former. InFig. 10 the plate is in position for use in folding the smallest size.In this position the sewed together members of the pair are placed withthe seam occupying the recess 102, said recess being so positioned thatthe member comes opposite the proper portion of the folder to give theproper curvature 90. During the first operation of the machine the righthand member is folded. The foxing is then shifted so as to place theseam in groove 101, which will place the other half or member in properposition to be folded by the other half of the folder. For the nextlarger sized foxing the plate 97 is turned to bring the groove 100 intooperative position, and for the largest size it is turned to bring thegroove 98 in operative position. Said blade may be held in its operativeposition in any suitable way as by a pin 103. It will be noticed that ifdesired the slitting device may be used in connection with this form oftable, as well as with the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to *1.

hile in order to describe the invention it has been necessary toillustrate one form thereof yet we do not wish to be limited to theconstruction shown, as many changes in the shape and arrangement of theparts may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionwhich is expressed in the appended claims.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 15 1. In a foldin and slittin machine fold ingmechanism including a table to support the material while it is beingfolded, a pivotally-mounted slitting knife, and actuating means to movethe slitting knife toward the table to slit the material, such movementof the slitting knife being separate in point of time from the movementof the folding mechanism.

2. In a folding and slitting machine, the combination with foldingmechanism to fold at one operation the entire edge of the material andincluding a table to support the material while it is being folded, of apivotally-mounted slit-ting knife constructed to make a plurality ofslits simultaneously in the edge of the material, and actuating means tomove the slitting knife toward the table to slit the material, suchmovement of the slitting knife being separate in point of time from themovement of the folding mechanism.

3. In a slittin and folding machine, the combination with a folder, of aslitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means for swinging theslitting knife to move the cutting edge thereof toward the folder to cutthe work and then away from the folder, and means for moving the folderacross the path of the slitting knife for folding the work.

d. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with means forholding the work, of a folder for folding the edge of the work over saidholding means and pressing the folded edge against the work, a slittingknife pivotally mounted on the folder, and means to swing said knifeabout its axis to slit the edge of the work prior to the operation ofthe folder.

5. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with a former, ofa folder arranged to lift the edge portion of the work and fold it overthe former and then to press the edge portion on the body of the work, aslitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to swing theslitting knife to slit the edge of the work prior to the operation ofthe folder, and means to withdraw the former after the edge is slittedand before the folded edge is pressed.

6. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with a folder, ofa slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to swing theknife to slit the edge of the work and then retire, means for causingthe folder to fold at one operation the entire portion of said edgepresented to the machine, and means for supporting the body of the workin one position during said operations.

7. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination wit-h a combinedfolder and cutting bed provided with slots, of a slitting knifepivotally mounted on said combined folder and cutting bed, the latterhaving provision to permit the cutting edges of the knife to pass belowits work-supporting surface, means to oscillate the slit-ting knife tocut the work, and means for moving the folder first perpendicularly tothe work and then parallel therewith to fold the slitted edge of thelatter.

8. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, acontinuously reciprocating member to actuate the same, and means toshift the position of said member to bring it into or out of operativeposition for actuating the knife. 7

9. In a folding machine, folding mecha nism, a swinging knife, a rockingmember operatively connected thereto, areciprocating actuator to engagesaid member and thus operate the knife, and means to bring said actuatorinto or out of operative position.

10. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitter, an actuatortherefor, and means to shift the position of the actuator to carry itinto or out of operative position.

11. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitter, a rocking memberoperatively connected to said slitter, an actuating pin, means toreciprocate the same, and means to carry the pin into and out ofposition to engage said member at the proper time during the cycle ofoperations of the folding mechanism.

12. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, a rockingmember operatively connected to said knife, an actuator pin to engagesaid member, means to reciprocate the pin, and a cam to carry said pininto or out of operative position.

13. In a. folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, meansfor operating said knife including a reciprocating actuator pin, and acam to control the position of said pin to carry it into or out ofoperative posi tion.

1a. In a folding machi -e, folding mechanism, a slitter, means foroperating the slitter, said means including a reciprocating actuatorpin, a cam for continuously reciprocating said pin, and means to carrythe latter into and out of operative position.

15. In a folding machine, folding mecha nism, a slitting knife, a shaft,a radially arranged actuating pin, a cam on said shaft to engage andreciprocate said pin, a member interposed between the slitting knife andthe pin, and means to carry the pin into and out of position to engagesaid member.

16. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, a shaft,a radially ar ranged actuating pin, a cam on said shaft to operate saidpin, a member interposed between the slitting knife and the pin, and

means to move said pin angularly with relation to the of the shaftwhereby it is carried into and out of operative position.

17. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting-knife, a shafthaving a cam thereon, a radially arranged actuating pin operated by saidcam, a guide for said pin, and means to give the guide an angularmovement about the shaft whereby the pin is carried into and out ofoperative position.

18. In a folding and slitting machine, the combination with a table tosupport the work, of a folder situated normally with its upper face inthe plane of the top of the table and adapted to receive the edge of thework, a slitter pivotally mounted on the folder, means to oscillate theslitter to cause it to slit the edge of the work, and means to elevatethe folder and to move the latter over the top of the table and then tomove said folder toward the table thereby to fold the slitted edge ofthe work.

19. In a slitting and folding machine,the combination with a folderprovided with an upper face to support the edge of the work, of aslitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to oscillate saidknife thereby to slit the edge of the work, and means for actuating thefolder first to lift the edge of the work and then to fold the edge overon the body of the work.

20. In a folding machine, a table, a folding jaw cooperating therewithto make a fold, and a swinging knife mounted on the folding jaw.

21. In a folding machine, a table, a folding jaw cotipcrating therewithto make a fold, a swinging knife mounted on the folding jaw, and meansto operate said swinging knife, the cutting movement of said knife beingindependent from the folding movement of the jaw.

In a folding machine, the combination with a table, of a folder, aslitter pivotally mounted on the folder, said slitter and folder beingremovably carried by the machine so that they can be removed therefrom,and means to give the slitter a movement toward the folder to make aslit in the work and then away from the folder.

23. In a folding machine, a table, a removable folder cooperatingtherewith to make a fold, a swinging slitting knife mounted on thefolder and removable therewith, and means to actuate the slitting knifeindependently of the folder.

24. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with means forholding the work, of a folder, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on thefolder, means for swinging said knife relative to the folder to slit theedge of the work, means for operating the folder to fold the slittededge of the work over the holding means, said holding means beingstationary relative to the work during the folding operation, and meansfor withdrawing the holdin means.

In a folding machine, a folder, and a swinging knife carried thereby,said knife having a plurality of blades.

26. In a folding machine, a folder having a plurality of slots, aslitting device having a plurality of blades to enter the slots, meansto operate the folder, and separate means to operate the slittingdevice.

27. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with awork-supporting table having an upper face to support the body of thework, of a folder, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder andhaving provision for slitting an extended portion of the edge of thework, means to swing the slitting knife relative to the folder to slitthe edge of the work, and means to secure a relative movement betweenthe folder and the table to cause said slitted edge to be folded overonto the work supported on said upper face of the table and to bepressed against the body of the work.

28. In a folding machine, a folder, it pivoted slitting knife carriedthereby, and means to give said knife a quick cutting movement.

29. In a folding machine, a folder having a plurality of slots, aslitting device mounted on the folder and having blades to enter saidslots, and means to give the slitting device a quick cutting movement.

30. In a folding machine, a folder having slots, a swinging knifepivotally mounted on said folder, said knife having blades to enter theslots, and means to give the knife quick turning movement to carry theblades toward and into the slots.

81. In a folding machine, the combination with a table, of a formerhaving a holder-receiving aperture, a yieldingly-sustained holderoperating through said aperture and adapted to clamp the materialagainst the table, a folder, means to move the former and holdersimultaneously toward the table and to give the former a movementparallel to the face of the table independently of the holder, and meansto operate the folder to make a fold in the edge of the work.

32. In a folding machine, a table, a yielding holder, manually operatedmeans to bring the holder against the work, and power operated means topress said holder against the work and clamp the latter to the table.

33. In a folding machine, a table, a former about which the edge of thework is folded, means to bring said former into clamping engagement withthe work, a folder to fold the edge of the work about the former whileit is clamped against the work, and a plurality of separateyieldinglysustained holding and clamping members operating on that partof the work which is engaged by the former.

34. In a folding machine, a table, a plurally slotted former, supportingmember, a plurality of independent holding members yieldingly sustainedby said supporting member and operating through the slots in the former,power-operated means to move said supporting member toward the table topress the holding members against the work and clamp the latter againstthe table, and means to fold the edge of the material about the formerwhile said material is thus held against the table.

35. In a folding machine, a table, a plurally slotted former, a holdercomprising a plurality of independent yielding holding members operatingin the slots of the former, and means to move the holder toward and fromthe table.

36. In a folding machine, a table, a detachable holder, comprising aplurality of independent yielding holding members, means to move theholder toward and from the table, and a detachable former movable withthe holder, said former and holder being connected together to beremoved as one piece.

37. In a folding machine, a table, a pivoted head having arms, a holdercarried thereby, automatically operative means tending normally to swingsaid arms into inoperative position, a movable member carried by saidhead, and actuating means cooperating with said member to bring theholder against the work on the table, said automatically operative meansoperating to carry the arms into inoperative position when the movablemember is thrown out of cooperation with the actuating means.

38. In a folding machine, a table to support the work being folded, apivoted head having arms, a holder removably carried thereby, a movablemember mounted on the head, actuating means coacting with said memberwhen it is in its operative position to bring the holder against thework, and automatically operated means to swing the arms intoinoperative position when the movable member is thrown out ofcooperation with the actuating means.

39. In a folding machine, a table, a. folder, a pivoted head havingarms, a former sup ported by the arms, a movable member carried by thehead, actuating means coacting with said member when it is in itsoperative position to carry the former against the work on the table,and automatically operative means to throw the arms and former intoinoperative position when said movable member is thrown out ofcooperation with the actuating means. 7 40. In a folding machine, atable, a folder,

a pivoted head having arms, a former carried by said arms but removabletherefrom,

a movable member carried by the head, actuating means cooperatingtherewith to throw the former against the work, and au tomaticallyoperative means to carry the arms and former into inoperative positionwhen said movable member is thrown out of cooperation with its actuatingmeans.

ll. In a folding machine, a table, a folder, at pivoted head havingarms, a former and holder supported by the arms, a movable membercarried by the head, actuating means co-acting with said member when itis in its operative position to carry the former and holder against thework on the table, and automatically operative means to throw the armsand former into inoperative position when said movable member is thrownout of cooperation with the actuating means.

42. In a folding machine, a table, a folder, a pivoted head having arms,a former and a holder carried by said arms but removable therefrom, amovable member carried by the head, actuating means cooperatingtherewith to throw the former and holder against the work, andautomatically operative means to carry the arms and former intoinoperative position when said movable member is thrown out ofcooperation with its actuating means.

e 3.- In a folding machine, awork-suppo-rting table, a head having arms,a holder carried by said arms, a plate pivoted to the head, an actuatinglever carrying a thrust pin to engage said plate and operate the holder,and automatically operative means to elevate the arms when the pivotedplate is thrown out of cooperation with the thrust pin.

44. In a folding machine, awvork-supporting table, swinging tubulararms, a holder carried by said arms, rods slidably mounted in the arms,a former connected to the rods, and cam-operating means to depress theholder and former simultaneously and subsequently to advance the former.

4-5. In a folding machine, a work-supporting table, swinging tubulararms, means to support the latter, a holder carried by said arms, rodsslidably mounted in the arms, a former connected to the rods, andcam-operating means to depress the holder and former simultaneously andsubsequently to advance the former, said former and holder beingremovable from the machine as one piece.

46. In a folding machine, awork-supporting table, pivoted tubular arms,means to support said arms, a rod slidably mounted in each arm, each rodhaving at its end a head, a holder, and a former detachably secured tosaid heads, said holder being positioned by the tubular arms and theformer being operated by the rods.

47. In a folding machine, a work-supporting table, tubular arms, meansfor pivotally supporting said arms, rods slidably mounted in said arms,a former detachably secured to said rods, a holder, and means connectingthe holder to the former, which means permits the latter to moverelative to the holder, said arms having means to maintain the holder inproper position.

L9. in a folding machine, a work-supporting table, tubular arms, meansfor pi'votallv supporting said arms, rods slidably mounted Within thearms, each rod having at its end a head, a plunger in each head, aformer detachably secured to said pliingers, a holder, means connectingthe holder to the former, which means permits the latter to moverelative to the holder, and means carried by the arms to maintain theholder in position.

50. In a folding machine, a Work-supporting table having a movablemember provided with a plurality of positioning re eesses of diilerentWidths for positioning different sizes of blanks to be folded, andfolding mechanism to fold the edge of the blank.

In a folding machine, a \JPdlOSUPpOlt' ing table having a rotatablepositioning plate provided in its face with a plurality of recesses ofdifferent Width, each adapted to receive the seam of sewed-togetherblanks, each recess being so arranged as to properly position a certainsir Jed blank.

59'. In a foldin machine, a folder, and a Workreceiving table having amovable member provided with a plurality of radial positioning recessesto receive the seam of sewed-together blanks, the movability of saidmember permitting any one of the recesses to be brought into operativeposition according to the size of the blank which is folded.

In a. folding machine, a folder, and a workreceiving table having arotatable plate provided with a plurality oi radial positioning recessesso placed that in ditl erent positions'ot the plate the ditl'erentrecesses are in correct position to receive the seam of a sewed blankwhich is to be folded.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

QUENTIN W. BOG H. IRVING E. BOOTH. LOUIS UV. G. FLYNT.

lVitnesses to the signature of Quentin lV. Booth:

Gnonon lineman, J. G. Mossm.

lVitnesses to the signatures of Irving E. Booth and Louis V. G. Flynt:

FRANK L. PIEHLER, JoriN T. Woon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of IEatents,

Washington, I). C.

